Memorial Performance for DocFirecaster.
Daniel Raymond Cobb
1955-2010
By Fox Ravenheart, Garden Bard.
On Sunday evening, March 2nd, friends, family and fellow musicians of Doc Firecaster, Daniel Raymond Cobb in 1st Life, gathered to celebrate his life with song. Doc Firecaster was an inspiration for the Garden and for Katrose, as she was his muse. He made an invaluable contribution to the creation of the Secret Garden Venue, as he oft contributed to the musical world in Second Life. The stage, ensconced with photos from his life, was filled with his fans and friends standing heart to heart, filling every inch. A myriad band of Second Life musicians came out tonight to perform in memorial for him, praying, mourning, rejoicing the life of a brilliant artist with music.
It's important to be remembered by the lives you touch, and to be celebrated for it.”
--Pajoel Bezner
Etherian Kamaboko commenced the service tonight, the sound of his guitar like a choir of church bells. For three hours they took the stage, playing in three song sets while Doc’s family listened on another stream. The music brought us together, the songs voicing our shared emotion—such as PonDman’s original song, A New Angel in Heaven:
Chorus:
There’s a new angel in heaven
But don’t look for a tear in her eye
There’s a new angel in heaven
Telling me not to cry
“Doc is smiling I am sure: that was beautiful.”
--LadyLeesha Southmoor commented on PonDman’s song.
The live music ended with the clarion and thunderous voice of NANCE Brody singing Danny Boy and finishing with Amazing Grace, turning the open-air garden into a cathedral, her voice reverberating among the pillars and roses.
The following SL musicians performed this evening:
-- Etherian Kamaboko
-- Bones Writer
-- Music Oxygen
-- Pondman Haalan
-- Terry Lynn Melody
-- Lehman Shinn
-- Lexie Luan
-- Pmann Sands
-- KatRose Serendipity
-- Nance Brody
We thank them for their comfort and inspiration. If you would like to see snapshots of each performer please visit the following website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/httpslurlcomsecondlifeBlistereen21211857/GOOD-VIBE-ACOUSTIC-LOUNGE/325471288721
* * *
I only knew Docfirecaster from his reputation and from the way he touched the lives of others; I would have liked the fellow. From what I’ve heard, he was a talented performer, a prairie soul, a man who could carry a conspicuous guitar on his back while in a crowd and not stand out. In life he was a rascal with dusty boots and hands that could pluck angel paeans from a set of taut strings.
“You can tell by his voice in his songs, very relaxed . . . genuine. He was like that when he wasn't singing. He's the kind of guy that you could feel an instant connection to. If you didn't feel it in his songs, you could feel it in his voice.”
– Pajoel Bezner
His music was his gift to people. He recorded a CD of lullabies for his sister in 1St life, Frankie Coignet, his gift to her son. He always made sure to sing Copperline—James Taylor--for Tay Beningborough, a song of sentiment and memories for her of North Carolina.
A CD with a collection of his music is being planned and developed by KatRose Serendipity. His fans and friends donated money this evening in support of the project. If you would like to help Kat create an etched memorial of music for Doc, please donate money at the Secret Garden Venue or at Good Vibes. Thank you to everyone who made a contribution. You’ve helped to bring something special into the world.
Seabreeze at Good Vibes is planning another memorial. I will list the date anon.
Doc now sleeps beneath sand, below the hawks on sky, the rattlesnakes on the earth, the mice that burrow below. His body is still, but the songs that poured from his heart, his mind, still vibrate and radiate from his hands and voice. He has been relieved of his burden, and now his family, his friends lift his spirit high to the winds and carry his songs, his music granting immortality to his soul and all of our souls.
There is a poem I am reminded of from W.B. Yeats:
The Song of the Wandering Shepherd:
I must be gone: there is a grave
Where daffodil and lily wave,
And I would please the hapless faun,
Buried under the sleepy ground,
With mirthful songs before the dawn.
His shouting days with mirth were crowned;
And still I dream he treads the lawn,
Walking ghostly in the dew,
Pierced by my glad singing through,
Thank you.
Fox Ravenheart.
